hubs, free-spin, unitized bearing replace

[bowtie4by]

Newbie/1st post!

Hi all! Great site!

 

Is a kit available to replace the unitized bearing with user-serviceable bearings, and includes manual locking hubs for 2000 Tahoe?

 

Dynatrac has them for Ford SD and Dodge 2500, 3500.

 

I'm going to buy a new truck in a couple of days, and it must have manual locking hubs and serviceable bearings, or I must be able to install them. I'd like to stay with GM, but it's not looking good.

[redvett]

Then bearings only come as unitized and the front axle has a internal unlocking actuator so no hub locks are necessary. Couldnt imagine anyone wanting to go back to locking hubs.

[Ben]

Price out replacement IFS 4x4 bearings at the dealer.

 

+ $500 bucks per wheel for my 1996 Suburban.

 

This is for something that used to cost around $20 bucks per wheel before IFS 4x4.

 

That alone is enough for me to want to go away from this hub design and go back to the old.

 

Then those four bolts holding the hub onto the knuckle. They are usually forzen on and must be broken or drilled out in order to get at this hub/bearing assembly.

 

Then the too small rivets (four of them) holding the upper A-Arm to the upper ball joint. Picture is of mine after hitting a Landrover (he jumped a stop sign). My old 1973 K5 Blazer would have just bounced off of that, but it dropped my Suburban's front end (note the busted 4 rivets on the upper A-Arm and the busted tie rod end). That destroyed my shock (Edelbrock IAS) and caliper (Praise Dyno Brake).

 

 

Personal choice will have me noodling a Dana 60 some day. Did that for the 1973 K5 and a bit more work on the Suburban.

[bowtie4by]

Then bearings only come as unitized and the front axle has a internal unlocking actuator so no hub locks are necessary. Couldnt imagine anyone wanting to go back to locking hubs.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Manual locking hubs, user replaceable bearings, manual transfer case, and front and rear lockers are the only way to go, but only if you depend on your 4x4 for your life. Soccer moms can get by with the useless, so-called 4x4s that dealers sell. GM HDs, at least, have a locking rear. Open differentials and limited-slip diffs are ridiculous to have on a 4x4.

 

I can't imagine anyone wanting auto hubs and electronic transfercase.

[redvett]

Then bearings only come as unitized and the front axle has a internal unlocking actuator so no hub locks are necessary. Couldnt imagine anyone wanting to go back to locking hubs.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Manual locking hubs, user replaceable bearings, manual transfer case, and front and rear lockers are the only way to go, but only if you depend on your 4x4 for your life. Soccer moms can get by with the useless, so-called 4x4s that dealers sell. GM HDs, at least, have a locking rear. Open differentials and limited-slip diffs are ridiculous to have on a 4x4.

 

I can't imagine anyone wanting auto hubs and electronic transfercase.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

A front locker isnt reccomended on hard pavement because in wet or snowy road conditions the front wheels wont be able to control steering. All GM trucks are available with G80 locking diff. not just HD's

Since your probably 2-5% of the owners that dont like the system and the other 95% want it you probably will go to another brand. Sorry.